Bride of Chucky (1998)

It is time once again for Halloween, which is sadly the only time of year when 'spooktacular' becomes a common word in everyone's vocabulary. Why can't things be spooktacular in mid- March? I digress. Halloween is also the time to watch frightening films that make the hair on your back stand straight up. Films featuring the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and, last but not least, Chucky.

Who is Chucky, you might ask? Well, I might answer that Chucky is the focal point of the successful Child's Play series of films that tell the tale of a doll possessed with the spirit of serial killer Charles Lee Ray. The franchise started off in 1988, and spawned four sequels. This week I'll be taking a look a sequel number three, Bride of Chucky.

In Bride of Chucky, we are introduced to Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly), an old girlfriend of Charles. Through a series of murderous deeds, Tiffany has gotten a hold of the Chucky doll that houses the spirit of her former beau. Shenanigans ensue, and before you know it, Tiffany herself is a doll. This leads to one of the top 10 doll sex scenes in North American film history.

Chucky and Tiffany tie the knot, but want to experience wedded bliss in the flesh instead of in the plastic. Luckily, a voodoo book exists that lets them know how they can accomplish this feat. All they need to do is get to Charles Lee Ray's grave in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Seeing as how they are only about two feet tall apiece, driving a car across several states would be quite difficult for the dolls. So they hatch a plan that involves another pair of newlyweds.

Jade (Katherine Heigl) and Jesse (Nick Stabile) are a young couple on the run from Jade's meddlesome uncle, Police Chief Warren Kincaid (portrayed by the late, great John Ritter). Jade and Jesse agree to deliver what they assume are two harmless, inanimate toys to New Jersey. Little do they know that the dolls are leaving a path of bodies on the way, and incriminating the young couple in their dirty deeds. This all leads to a thrilling conclusion that leaves the viewers wondering, will Chucky die… for the fourth time?

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is Katherine Hiegl's finest work. She has shared the screen with the likes of Patrick Dempsey, Gerard Butler and Ashton Kutcher, but she has never worked with anyone with as much range as the two foot tall piece of plastic know as Chucky. He truly brought out the best in young Ms. Heigl. Yet you never hear her acknowledge him during any acceptance speeches. Maybe she is as difficult as the rumours suggest she is.

Bride of Chucky is the epitome of spooktacular entertainment. You want blood? It's got it. You want comedy? Well, the film is a hoot. You want romance? Well, Chucky and Tiffany are reminiscent of classic screen couples such as Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, or Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. This film is no apple with a razor blade in it — it is a true Halloween treat.

Rating: 5 out of 5